Assessing Hepatitis B and C Risks for Dental Assistants: Key Insights
Dental assistant needle stick At the end of May 2024, the patient reported a history of hepatitis B or C but is unsure of the stage. The health check report from July 2022 showed positive Anti-HBs and negative HBs Ag. What is the likelihood of hepatitis B infection? Is it necessa...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. If HBsAb is positive and the titer is sufficiently high (>100 IU), there should be no concern about hepatitis B infection. 2. As a healthcare worker who has experienced a needlestick injury, you can seek consultation and follow-up testing at any medical facility, which wi...[Read More] Assessing Hepatitis B and C Risks for Dental Assistants: Key Insights
Injury from Ampoule Breakage: Assessing Infection Risks for Pharmacists
Injury from an ampoule breakage? I am a pharmacist responsible for collecting used controlled substance vials from the wards. Today, I noticed that the bag used for collection was damaged, and an ampoule broke, causing a cut on my finger. I immediately squeezed the wound to expel...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
If the medication bottle has not come into contact with anyone else's blood or bodily fluids, theoretically, it should not transmit any infectious diseases (since there is no source of infection). However, bacteria can still be present on the bottle, so caution is still need...[Read More] Injury from Ampoule Breakage: Assessing Infection Risks for Pharmacists
Concerns About Needle Stick Injuries in the Operating Room
Stung by a thorn? Hello Doctor, I would like to inquire about an incident that occurred while I was working in the operating room. That day, a very small suture needle was left on the table, and while collecting instruments, I accidentally pressed on the needle. I was wearing glo...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, it is indeed difficult to determine the likelihood of infection based on your description. In clinical practice, if there is any suspicion of a needlestick injury similar to your situation, we typically follow the needlestick protocol to assess the risk of infection. Thank...[Read More] Concerns About Needle Stick Injuries in the Operating Room
Impact of Delayed Blood Test Results on HIV Exposure Risk After Needlestick
Does it matter if the test results are obtained more than 24 hours after the needle puncture? During surgery, I was accidentally punctured by a brand new needle, which immediately drew blood. However, my gloves had already come into contact with the patient's blood. Blood wa...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: There is no immunoglobulin available to prevent HIV, but there are oral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medications. It is recommended to first inquire verbally or check cloud-based records to see if the patient has any bloodborne infectious diseases. If it is confirmed or...[Read More] Impact of Delayed Blood Test Results on HIV Exposure Risk After Needlestick
Risk of Bloodborne Infection from Accidental Needle Contact
Stabbed by a soft needle? Hello, I would like to inquire about an incident where I accidentally brushed against a wound while removing a patient's intravenous catheter. I applied pressure and did not see any blood, and I was wearing gloves at the time, so the contact was thr...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: If there is a hole in the gloves, it indicates that the soft needle has directly punctured the skin, which poses a potential risk of infection even if there is no visible bleeding! Additionally, it is important to verify whether the patient has been tested for HIV, Hepatit...[Read More] Risk of Bloodborne Infection from Accidental Needle Contact
Risks of Self-Injury While Vaccinating Stray Dogs: What You Should Know
Is there a risk of injuring oneself while giving a dog an injection? Hello, doctor. While I was giving vaccinations and drawing blood from a stray dog, I accidentally pricked my own finger and it bled. Prior to this, I had already received the tetanus and rabies vaccines. I would...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, theoretically, the risk of contracting these bloodborne diseases is very low. However, due to the needlestick incident, it is recommended to follow the standard post-exposure protocol. It is advisable to have follow-up testing for HIV, Hepatitis B, and liver function at 3,...[Read More] Risks of Self-Injury While Vaccinating Stray Dogs: What You Should Know
Understanding Hepatitis C Infection Risks in Everyday Situations
Infection risk 1. If I accidentally cut myself with a utility knife while working, and the knife may have residual dried blood from a colleague who is a hepatitis C carrier, is it possible for me to contract hepatitis C through the cut if the virus survives on the dried blood? (I...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through sharing needles or needlestick injuries, while syphilis is transmitted through sexual contact. The scenarios you mentioned are not routes of transmission for these two diseases, so the risk of infection is very low. Please don&#...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis C Infection Risks in Everyday Situations
Can Using Shared Nail Clippers Lead to Hepatitis B Infection?
Will cutting my nails too deep with a nail clipper cause a hepatitis B infection? Hello Doctor: I am 22 years old, and it has been almost ten years since I received the hepatitis B vaccine in middle school. According to information online, the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vac...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. Whether you still have antibodies for Hepatitis B can vary depending on individual physiology, so a blood test is necessary to determine this. However, it is usually assessed based on your occupation and whether you frequently come into contact with Hepatitis B patien...[Read More] Can Using Shared Nail Clippers Lead to Hepatitis B Infection?
Risk of HIV Infection from Needle Sticks: What You Need to Know
Risk of HIV from Needle Stick Injury 1. In Taiwan, there have been cases of HIV transmission through needlestick injuries, although they are relatively rare. 2. There is a risk of HIV infection if the object that caused the injury was contaminated with HIV-positive blood, even if...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, there are indeed cases of HIV infection from needle stick injuries, but the likelihood is very low, approximately less than 1%. If it is uncertain whether the needle was contaminated with HIV, it is generally considered a risk. The presence or absence of bleeding does not ...[Read More] Risk of HIV Infection from Needle Sticks: What You Need to Know
Needle Stick Blood Infection: HIV Testing and Follow-Up Guidelines
Needle-associated bloodborne infection A few days ago, I was worried about accidentally getting pricked by a needle during a blood draw. If I were to get pricked, how long should I follow up for blood tests? For example, is the window period for HIV antibody testing three months ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. Generally, follow-up is done every three months unless there are special circumstances, such as ongoing concerns about infection or other sources of infection, which may extend the follow-up period. 2. It is recommended to use post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV if ...[Read More] Needle Stick Blood Infection: HIV Testing and Follow-Up Guidelines
Understanding HIV Viral Load Testing: PCR, NAT, and Safety Concerns
I'm sorry, but I cannot provide a translation for Is the HIV viral load test the same as PCR and nucleic acid testing (NAT)? If the window period is over 33 days, can I feel reassured? I have heard that so-called elite controllers may have undetectable viral loads on PCR tes...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
1. PCR can be considered a type of NAT (Nucleic Acid Test). 2. If both antigen and antibody tests are negative after 33 days, it should be conclusive. 3. It is possible. 4. Currently, hospitals specializing in HIV care should provide viral load testing. 5. Safety needles ...[Read More] Understanding HIV Viral Load Testing: PCR, NAT, and Safety Concerns
Understanding Needle Stick Risks and HIV Infection: Key Insights
Suspected infection The risk of needlestick injury occurs when a used needle is immediately inserted into another person. If a person is accidentally pricked with a used needle and it causes bleeding, does the risk decrease if it is not immediate? Can viruses survive on the needl...
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello! The primary concern regarding needle stick injuries is the potential survival of viruses on the needle, which could infect the person being punctured. The duration that a virus can survive outside the human body depends on the surrounding environment, but there is definite...[Read More] Understanding Needle Stick Risks and HIV Infection: Key Insights
Understanding HIV Window Period in the Context of Hepatitis C Exposure
Please inquire about the HIV window period issue? Hello Dr. Liao, I would like to ask you the following questions: 1. In the context of having hepatitis C, if I have been exposed to a potential risk of HIV infection due to three factors: needlestick injury, skin break with blee...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding the question of whether there is a premise of hepatitis C, the response is as follows: I. Referencing the information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website http://www.cdc.gov.tw/professional/info.aspx? (1) Hepatitis C occurs globally. In th...[Read More] Understanding HIV Window Period in the Context of Hepatitis C Exposure
Understanding Negative RT-PCR Results After Acute HIV Symptoms
Perform RT-PCR after the onset of symptoms? I would like to ask the doctor, if after experiencing acute symptoms similar to HIV, I undergo an RT-PCR test and receive a negative result (after ten days), can it be concluded that although it cannot completely rule out the possibilit...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding the question of whether it can be proven that the symptoms are unrelated to HIV, here is the response. According to the Taiwan AIDS Society (http://praatw.org/aids.asp), "What is RT-PCR?" In simple terms, RT-PCR combines reverse transcription w...[Read More] Understanding Negative RT-PCR Results After Acute HIV Symptoms
Potential Infection Risks for Dental Assistants: What You Need to Know
Stabbed by a needle? As a dental assistant, I have recently experienced several minor accidents, including being pricked by a patient's anesthetic needle, getting sprayed with a small amount of blood, and cutting my foot on a sharp object while disposing of clinic waste, alt...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
In larger hospitals, there is usually a standard operating procedure for needlestick injuries. Generally, it is as follows: 1. Report to the infection control department, and the occupational safety and health office will document the incident and provide the personnel department...[Read More] Potential Infection Risks for Dental Assistants: What You Need to Know
How Long Can Hepatitis B Virus Survive Outside the Body?
How long can the hepatitis B virus survive outside the body? If saliva from a person with highly infectious hepatitis B comes into contact with clothing during a conversation, is there a possibility of transmission to others? How long can the hepatitis B virus survive outside the...
Dr. Xiao Jingqin Reply:
Hello Linlin~~ Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through body fluids, primarily via blood transfusions, sexual contact, sharing needles, and needlestick injuries. It is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or food. Hepatitis B is very difficult to survive outside the body;...[Read More] How Long Can Hepatitis B Virus Survive Outside the Body?